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Minneapolis cat takes home top honors in wackiest pet name contest

Prison Mike, a cat from Minneapolis named after Michael Scott's character on "The Office," secured the most votes in Nationwide's Wacky Pet Names contest.

MINNEAPOLIS — A cat from Minneapolis was up against some tough competition in Nationwide's Wacky Pet Names contest, but in the end, Prison Mike prevailed.

On Tuesday, the insurance company revealed the winners of this year's friendly competition in the dog, cat and exotic animal categories. A pup from Oklahoma named Doc Pawlliday, Prison Mike, from Minnesota, and a pot-bellied pig from Florida named Piggy Smalls received the most votes and took home top honors for 2023.

Prison Mike, named after one of Michael Scott's many character's on the NBC sitcom "The Office," "was born as a crazy boy … one who maybe needs a cage—or a cell," his mom Marina said. 

Also known for his "unique windowsill butt-scoot walking technique," Marina said Prison Mike is a hit among those both familiar and unfamiliar with his namesake.

To commemorate their wins, Doc Pawlliday, Prison Mike and Piggy Smalls' families will receive a professional photo shoot with their pet and a $100 gift card.

Other names in the "cat-egory" included Green Bean Catserole, Spicy Beef Purrito, Inigo Meowtoya and Sir Woodrow Agustdus Scuttlebooty the Third, Esquire.

The celebration of all things silly was made up of pets recently insured by Nationwide.

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